'I hope you catch covid and die' - shocking abuse of NHS staff in Surrey revealed

Some NHS workers are leaving their professions because of being subjected to abuse by patients, according to the Clinical Chair of Surrey Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group.

Dr Charlotte Canniff, who is also a GP, said that verbal abuse and threats – which included one incident where a member of staff was spat at and told “I hope you catch covid and die” – were on the up.

While she added that the vast majority of people they care for “have been hugely kind”, the increase in reports has led to the CCG launching a campaign to highlight the issue.

The ‘no excuse for abuse’ campaign is asking for the public’s continued support for NHS staff, with a strong public commitment against abuse of any kind.

Examples of reports have included online abuse in response to vaccination invitations, verbal abuse and threats to staff working in general practice and local A&E departments, as well as angry responses from members of the public contacting telephone services such as NHS 111.

Dr Charlotte Canniff, said: “The abuse that some colleagues are experiencing as they work tirelessly to care for patients, at the same time as leading the roll-out of the lifesaving Covid-19 and seasonal flu vaccination programmes, is just not acceptable.

“No-one should be made to feel intimidated simply doing their job and we will not accept this kind of behaviour.”

She added: “We recognise that sometimes this behaviour is driven by frustration, sometimes due to longer waits, to a change in the way services are being delivered.

“But abusive behaviour is never acceptable no matter the circumstances.

“Our staff continue to work tirelessly to look after patients; please help us by remaining courteous and respectful and most importantly, let’s all remember to be kind.”